Prominent loyalist Ihab Shoukri walked free from court today after a judge threw out charges that he was a member of two paramilitary groups.
Mr Shoukri (32), shook hands with his legal team after the brief hearing at Belfast Crown Court.
Judge Thomas Burgess said the charges of Ulster Defence Association and Ulster Freedom Fighters membership related to a snapshot in time which was now historic.
He told the court: "Any case can only be decided on the evidence before the court and evidence which is admissible."
The judge also said there were wider issues, not directly related to the case, which the crown may wish to consider.
It had been alleged that Mr Shoukri, of Westland Drive, north Belfast, was a member of the UDA and UFF between February and July 2003.
He had also faced two further charges of professing to be a member of both paramilitary organisations between May 14th and May 20th, 2003.
All the charges were brought under the terrorism act 2000.
Lawyers for the crown told the court they had no plans to appeal against the judge's ruling.
Mr Shoukri, who was wearing a white T-shirt, light blue jeans and designer sunglasses, smiled as left the court with three associates.